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Though we may pine for Old Ehlnofey, the golden warmth of the Divines will always dry our tears in the sun-kissed land of Summerset. — Our Blessed Isles: A Guide

Summerset Isle, sometimes just called Summerset, is a large island to the southwest of Tamriel's mainland. It is the largest of the three main islands in the Summerset Isles, which encompasses over a dozen more smaller islands. It has also been referred to as the Eternal Isle.[1]

The landscape of Summerset Isle is similar to that of its sister island of Auridon, with warm climate, colorful forests, idyllic meadows, and craggy mountains. Most of the southern part of the island and a central region in the north are covered with mountains, with a central pass linking the western and eastern parts of the island. The highest mountain on the island is Eton Nir, located in the northern region. Coral is abundant on the shores of Summerset Isle; the Coral Forest on the eastern shore is one of the best-known coral formations.[2] Coral formations are sometimes found far from the sea, which suggests original occupation by the Sload.[3] A river with two tributaries named The Clott flows into the northeastern shore.[4]

The city of Cloudrest atop Eton Nir, the highest mountain on Summerset Isle

Summerset Isle was colonized along with the other island in the archipelago by the Aldmer when they came from Aldmeris in the Merethic Era. The ancestors of the modern Altmer formed a caste-based society and established the city of Alinor as their capital. The First Era was a period of unrest, with internal conflicts between the city-states, as well as Sload and Maormer invasions. In the third millennium of the First Era, Summerset Isle was struck by the Thrassian Plague, which depopulated whole towns such as Corgrad. Since early times, Summerset Isle had been off-limits to almost all non-Altmer. In their isolation, the elves of the Isle developed a unique architectural style, more similar to the Falmeri style than to the architecture of Auridon.[5][3][6]

In the sixth century of the Second Era, during the Interregnum, Queen Ayrenn, daughter of King Hidellith, formed the first Aldmeri Dominion, an alliance with Valenwood and Elsweyr whose goal was to conquer Cyrodiil and seize the Ruby Throne. Ayrenn chose Elden Root in Valenwood rather than Alinor to be the capital of the Dominion, and her cousin Alwinarwe ruled Summerset on her behalf. Around 2E 583, Ayrenn issued a decree that opened the borders of Summerset Isle for outsiders, which resulted in an influx of immigrants.[2]

The Crystal Tower

The Second Era also saw the Abyssal Cabal's plot to sink Summerset Isle. The Cabal were a group of Sea Sload who wanted to reclaim the island for their underwater kingdom of Ul'vor Kus. They joined forces with the Court of Bedlam, an alliance of the cultists of Nocturnal, Mephala, and Clavicus Vile who attempted to gain control over the Crystal Tower around 2E 583. Both groups were defeated by the combined efforts of the Soulless One and the Psijic Order.[2]

In the Third Era, Summerset Isle, along with the rest of the province, was incorporated into Tiber Septim's Empire. In 3E 110, the island was almost lost to the Maormer in the War of the Isle.[3] In the late fourth century of the Third Era, Summerset Isle was visited by the Eternal Champion, who retrieved one of the pieces of the Staff of Chaos from the Crystal Tower.[7] In 3E 433, the island was devastated by the Oblivion Crisis, with the hordes of the Daedra managing to topple the Crystal Tower. The forces of the Thalmor contributed greatly to repelling the Daedra, which later allowed them to gain control of the whole province, and ultimately form the Third Aldmeri Dominion, the dominant force in Tamriel in the early Fourth Era.[8][9]

The architectural style of many cities in Summerset Isle is unique from its counterparts on Auridon. White marble construction, ornate glass and metalwork, and enormous elegant towers are a signature found across the island.[2] According to some, Altmer build such vast towers because of the belief that they were once gods, and so they aspire to reach the heavens once more.[UOL 1]

The modern architectural style of Summerset has been refined for thousands of years, as is evident by the numerous ruins that dot the island sharing a similar style. Altmer architects are said to look into the past for inspiration and add new layers of refinement, elegance and detail to their structures. This discipline of continual improvement is inline with the overarching cultural concept known as the "Path to Alaxon", where many Altmer dedicate their long lives striving for perfection in their life or work.[UOL 2]

Although human traders to the island have famously described the architecture of Summerset as being made from glass or insect wings,[10] this is believed to not be entirely accurate and was simply the viewpoint of outsiders attempting to explain what they saw.[UOL 3]

Summerset is known for its beautiful cherry blossom trees that come in pink and white varieties. It also has red and purple maples trees as well as gingko, sea grape, spruce, and mangrove. Small plants that grow in the area include blue and purple wisteria, yellow oleander, pearlwort, and glasswort.

Summerset Isle was originally inhabited by species such as Gheatus, welwa, and Illyadi, which were exterminated by the Aldmer when they colonized the island (although the welwa were reintroduced into the island's ecosystem in the Second Era[11]). The most iconic Summerset animals are gryphons and deer-like indriks.[3][2] The canah is the exotic bird of Summerset Isle, bred for its beautiful feathers.[1]